Back To Basics: The Synopsis

I really hated writing synopsis up until last year.  The idea of condensing my entire book down to one page single spaced seemed impossible, but I finally managed it. Thinking of synopsis as an essay about a book I read, helped me write it.  How would I, essentially, write a book report on my own book?  What would I include?  How does the plot make me feel?  What does the main character go through?  How does it change them?  You may want to brainstorm on those questions before writing the synopsis.

Okay, moving on.

A few quick formatting suggestions.  Synopsis can be about 2-3 pages double spaced or 1 page single spaced–always check any submission guidelines and adjust accordingly.  If using the single space method do not indent your paragraphs.  Put a return line between them instead, this is business letter format.

The first time you mention a character’s name, the name should be capitalized.  After that you can type it normally.  Remember to adjust your margins to 1 inch.  As for font, I don’t remember reading any font rules for the synopsis, so I think you would be safe with Times New Roman or Bookman Old Style.  It’s up to you.

As for the content of a synopsis:

First, introduce your character and give us the central conflict

Example:

AIDEN, a fourteen-year-old foster child, has always longed for a real home, but after he learns his home is in a different world he must choose to be a leader in Pelegra or a modern day hero on Earth.

After that initial paragraph, I have five more paragraphs depicting my plot.  Things to remember when writing the main body of a synopsis:

1. Drop all of your subplots, focus only on the plot points of the main character, the main plot, and the character arc.

2. Make the plot points emotional, by describing them with strong verbs and strong adjectives.

For example:  Aiden is ecstatic to discover he has a father…a desperate fight for peace begins…Aiden is plagued with dreams…He is triumphant with his success…Outraged, Aiden joins the rescue mission….  Aiden has finally found a sense of home and chooses…

3. By using emotion, show your character development through the story.

4. Yes, you MUST include the ending.

5. Your synopsis needs a header with your contact information and if you plan on using the multiple page, double spaced method, you should also have page numbers.

Well, that’s the basics.  To get a better overview, the best and only book I have found that deals with synopsis in depth, to my liking, is the Sell Your Novel Toolkit by Elizabeth Lyon.  I definitely recommend picking up a copy or at the very least, check it out from your local library.